October is a month filled with falling leaves, beautiful colors and crisp breezes. Kids spend time deciding what costume they want to wear for Halloween and families spend time together outside. With this list of #free events, it is easy to get out and have some fun around New Jersey. Make sure to tag #NJMOM on social media so we can see all the fun you and your cuties are having.
Pumpkin Festival
Visit the Oasis Family Farm and enjoy family Fall activities. With tons of Fall favorites, there is so much to chose from. Apple cider donuts, pumpkin bread, u-pick pumpkins and fresh baked pumpkin pies are just some of the activities. On the weekends, enjoy wagon rides, game activities and farm fun.
October 1st through October 31 from 10:30 AM to 4 PM
Oasis Family Farm, 3 Circle Drive Robbinsville, NJ
For more information, call 609-259-7300
4-H Young Gardeners Club
Do you have a young gardener in your family? From grade 1 to grade 12, kids can join the 4-H Young Gardeners Club and explore different aspects of the craft. Come prepared with your gardening gloves and a water bottle. Registration required.
October 4 to October 11 at 4 PM
621 A Eagle Rock Avenue, Roseland, NJ
For more information, call 973-353-1337
Annex Moms
Come together and join other Moms from the area to enjoy a free morning of fun. There will be coffee, a parenting video and a discussion about a certain topic. Meetings are every other week and child care is provided.
October 4 through the end of October, every other week, from 8:45 AM to 10:30 AM
The Annex, 1312 Springfield Avenue, New Providence, NJ
For more information, call 908-665-0050
Kids Bowl Free
Take the kids to the bowling alley this month for some extended summer fun. Registration is required and includes two games a day. Dates, times and locations vary so make sure to check the website.
October 5 through 31
Various bowling alleys in NJ
Seafood & Music Festival
Come to thus beach town and enjoy the cool weather at the Seafood and Music Festival. With two stages of live music, crafters, games and pumpkin painting, there is something for everyone.
October 8 from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Atlantic Avenue between Wildwood and Schellenger Avenues, Wildwood, NJ
For more information, call 609-729-4000
Just Jersey Food Truck & Music Festival
Family activities and fun is what this day is all about. There will be face painting, glitter tattoos, lots of food and live music to entertain. Bring your furry friends as well and let them join in on the fun.
October 8 from 11 AM to 7 PM
Rockaway Firemen’s Field 144 Beach Street, Rockaway, NJ
Harvest Tales
Come to the library and listen to haunting tales for Halloween. There will not only be stories, there will also be bluegrass music for families to enjoy the season through music. Registration is suggested.
October 12 from 7 PM – 8:30 PM
Hillsborough Library Branch 379 S. Branch Road, Hillsborough, NJ
Farmers Market
The town of Warren is extending their Farmers Market through October. With local fruits and vegetables along with meats, breads, fresh pasta and so much more, what better way is there to get outside with the family and enjoy the beautiful October weather.
October 13 and through October, Thursdays from 2 PM to 6 PM
46 Mountain Blvd, Warren, NJ
For more information, call 908-350-7383
Morristown CraftMarket
If you are a fan of homemade and one of a kind crafts, look no further than the Morristown CraftMarket. Vendors will be on site with jewelry, ceramics, glass, leather and so much more. Spend the day walking around and browsing or get a start on your holiday shopping.
October 14, 15 and 16
National Guard Armory, 430 Western Avenue, Morristown, NJ
For more information, call 973-442-2840
Boo at the Boardwalk
Bring your little ones and family members who don’t enjoy the frights of Halloween and have some non-spooky fun. There will be pumpkin carvings, a Pumpkin Derby, games, a pumpkin patch and so much more.
October 15, 16, 22 and 23 from 12 PM to 4 PM
Jenkinsons Boardwalk, Point Pleasant, NJ
Stillwater Fall Festival
Each October, the historic village of Stillwater hosts their Fall Festival featuring all things fall. From craft booths and food to hay rides and children’s games, this is an annual event that you sure don’t want to miss.
October 15 from 10 AM to 4:30 PM
Main Street, Village of Stillwater, NJ
For more information, e-mail fallfestival@historicstillwater.com
Celebrating Apples
Travel back in time for a few hours and enjoy a fun celebration of delicious apples, a fall staple. Try a hand cranked apple peeler and help with a cider pressing presentation, dating back to the 1880s. Kids have the chance to decorate an apple to take home.
October 15
Cooper Gritsmill 66 State Route 24, Chester, NJ
For more information, call 908-879-5463
Fall Fest
Come Saturdays and Sundays in October and enjoy some family friendly fall activities. Play pumpkin tic tac toe, ride down the giant tube slide or just walk around and see the fall foliage.
October 15 through 31, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 AM to 5 PM
Tranquility Farms 10 Tranquility Farms Lane, Andover, NJ
For more information, call (908) 979-0303
33rd Annual Harvest Celebration
This 2-day event is so much fun for every member of your family. Whether you come to both days or chose one to attend, each day is filled with activities and events. The big event at the Celebration is the Soup & Chilli Cook Off where attendees have the opportunity to sample the creations and vote for your favorite. Check out the link to see the calendar of events for the weekend.
October 15 and 16 from 11 AM to 3 PM
Perry Street, Chester, NJ
Story Time
Bring the kids and enjoy a dinosaur themed story time. Each month there is a different story and this month it is going to be “If The Dinosaurs Came Back”. Have fun listening to the story, a snack and craft.
October 15 and 16 at 2:00 PM
NJ State Museum, 205 West State Street, Trenton, NJ
For more information, call 609-292-6464
Family Fun Day
Enjoy an afternoon of family fun in Warren at the Family Fun Day celebration. From pumpkin painting to football toss and crafts, there is so much to do. Save some room for food too like hot dogs, lemonade, popcorn and more yummy treats.
October 16 from 2 PM to 4 PM
105 Mountainview Road, Warren, NJ
Pumpkin Fest
Bring the whole family to the picturesque small town of Clinton for their Pumpkin Fest. Enjoy an evening of face painting, balloon art, horse drawn hay rides and so much more. Bring your carved or painted pumpkins and enter them in the contest.
October 21 from 4:30 PM to 9 PM
Terrace of the Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton, NJ
Creature Fest
When the sun goes down, the creatures come out to play. Get up close and personal to some very cool wildlife and friends of nature. View the night sky, visit with a wolf and meet some of the reptiles that live in the woods.
October 21 and 22 from 5 PM to 8 PM
Duke Farms 1112 Dukes Parkway West, Hillsborough, NJ
Gardens Aglow
Just as the sun begins setting and nighttime kicks in, come to the Presby Iris Gardens and see the illuminated pumpkins. There will be lots of jack o lanterns to see along with activities, entertainment and refreshments.
October 22 from 6 PM to 9 PM
474 Upper Mountain Avenue, Upper Montclair, NJ
Strut Your Mutt Halloween Costume Contest
Enjoy a fun-filled morning of furry friends and Halloween costumes. Pet owners can dress up their pups and enter them into the parade that begins at 10:00 AM. Prizes will be awarded for the best pets and costumes.
October 22 at 9:15 AM
Essex County Brookdale Park Dog Park, Grove Street, Montclair, NJ
Millbrook Village Octivities
Beginning at 2, family fun and activities will take place at the Millbrook Village in the beautiful autumn scenery. Enjoy crafts for kids, a scavenger hunt and a lantern light tour of the Village when the sun sets. What an amazing way to get outdoors and spend time as a family.
October 22 from 2 PM to 7 PM
Old Mine Road and MIllbrook Road, Harwick, NJ
Canal Heritage Day
From June to October, Waterloo hosts Canal Heritage Days. There will be canal boat rides, blacksmiths, a carpenter shop and seamstress shop open to visit. This is an afternoon back in time at a historic spot in NJ where kids and adults alike can travel back to simpler times.
October 22 from 10 AM to 4 PM
525 Waterloo Road, Stanhope, NJ
For more information, call 973-292-2755
Hoboken Harvest Festival
There will be tons of free activities like crafts, food, music and live entertainment for everyone in the family to enjoy. Come and enjoy the gorgeous weather and the beautiful town of Hoboken.
October 22 from 11 AM to 3 PM
Pier A Park 100 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken, NJ
Fall Activity Day
Come partake in something you don’t do everyday, watch a Colonial cooking demo. This fun for all ages event also includes singing, games and a few hours in nature.
October 23 from 10 AM to 2 PM
150 Snake Den Road, Ringwood, NJ
For more information, call 973-835-2160
Trick or Treat Street
Spend the day on the Boardwalk partaking in some Halloween fun. There is a fun filled day planned featuring pumpkin decorating, dogs and children costume parade and a pumpkin chunking competition. Come dressed in your costume.
October 23 at 12 PM
Seaside Heights Boardwalk, NJ
5th Annual Halloween Spooktacular
Dress in your best costume and enjoy some Halloween fun at the New Jersey State Museum. The day is jam packed with tons of fun like a costume parade, a live performance, free planetarium show and so much more. You definitely don’t want to miss this.
October 29 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
NJ State Museum, 205 West State Street, Trenton, NJ
For more information, call 609-292-6464
Fall Halloween Fest
Halloween and Fall fun galore. Some of the activities include pumpkin painting, food trucks and a Halloween costume contest. This night is for adults and children alike.
October 29 beginning at 6:00 PM
1 Racetrack Drive, East Rutherford, NJ
For more information, call 201-THE-BIGM
Annual Island Pumpkin Fest
Celebrate the day before Halloween in Wildwood at the Pumpkin Fest with the family. Come dressed in your costume and participate in the contest and parade. There will also be crafters, food, a bounce house and so much more to enjoy.
October 30 from 10 AM to 4 PM
Fox Park, Wildwood, NJ
Halloween Party
Put on your favorite costume and celebrate Halloween in Branchburg. There will be a bounce house, games and more fun to be had. Two nights of celebrations for the family? Yes please.
October 30 from 3 PM to 5 PM
47 Readington Road, Branchburg, NJ
Trick or Treat at the Physick Estate
Dress up in your costume and go trick or treating at the Physick Estate in Cape May. There will be some spooky characters on the grounds so this may not be suitable for small ones. Candy will be given out.
October 31 from 5 PM to 7 PM
1048 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ
For more information, please call 609-884-5404
